Five Mile Radius

Today I learned that Jesus did most of his ministry within a five-mile radius. Five miles! Oh, how easy it is to think so much about the people "over there," while forgetting to love the people "right here." And how hard it is to love at all when our mind is so preoccupied with self.

Tonight I played my flute in a concert. It is always dangerous to sit with someone after they have just performed because you're most likely going to get empty stares or sharp self-criticism from them. Luckily, God spared me from harming the people around me too much by having me witness my composer-friend dip his chocolate cookie into his milk. Oh, the things God will do to get us out of the trance of self...

Later, I came home and read this quote on my dear friend's blog. Fitting for us all:

"We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self." St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Wintertime in Bergen

I may complain about winter, but oh how I love it! What would springtime be without winter? The whole earth seems to sleep whenever it snows. Snow is so...silent. When I walk in snow I feel like I shouldn't be talking because I'll miss out on some secret that is being whispered to me. Bergen is such a different city in the winter. I have been sick lately so my teacher told me to go outside and get some sun. For me, that is just a great excuse to take endless photographs.

This is my particular favorite. The view from my practice room. Every time I see a bird I just tell myself it's a sparrow, even if it's not, and scream in my head, HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW!! One day I'll just have to say it to someone...it's way too tempting not to when you see all these people feeding the birds with their bread crusts.